Once you have selected the species of your hardwood, the next step would be to pick up the ideal color. Choosing the right color for hardwood floors is one of the most important factors you need to consider, as it can make a big difference in the way a room looks and feels.

Although this is a decision that solely depends on your own preferences, you definitely don’t want to go wrong with it. Hardwood flooring is one of the most expensive decoration decision that you’ll ever make and in order to avoid costly and embarrassing mistakes you need to ensure that the color will greatly enhance the beauty of your home décor.

However, choosing the right color can be incredibly frustrating with so many options available nowadays. Here are some tips to help you decide which one fits best with your home décor.

Things to consider when choosing the right color for hardwood floors

Which wood species did you choose?

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The wood species you’ve chosen for your wood floor will make a big difference in your color options. Oak for example, which is one of the most popular hardwood flooring options, offers you the most color choices. Some other wood species such as maple or pine, look better when left natural.

Bring home flooring samples:

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Flooring samples is something you must take fully advantage of. Visit your local hardwood flooring showroom and choose some samples to take home with you. This will allow you to test several styles and get a full picture of how your floor will look like. In addition, you will be able to see which color matches best with your existing furniture and lighting, all in the comfort of your own home. Make sure you look at the samples both in daylight and during the night with the artificial lights on.

Take a wood cabinet sample with you in the showroom:

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When visiting your local hardwood flooring showroom, take along a wood cabinet sample with you. This will help you to choose flooring samples easier, as you can determine which colors coordinate best with the items you brought to the store.

Consider the existing furniture of the room:

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If you have existing furniture in the room such as sofas, cabinets, armchairs, coffee table etc., you’ll need to think how your floor will interact with these items. On this occasion, choose a color that contrasts with your current furniture and other decorative elements in a complementary way. For example if your furniture is light, you may want to consider a darker floor for contrast. It is important that the color of your floor doesn’t match exactly to the color of your furniture or walls. Why? Because if all the color tones are similar, it will make the whole room aesthetically boring, and your new floor invisible. Keeping this in mind will allow you to achieve a harmonious setting.

Consider the size of the room:

Another important factor you need to consider when choosing the right color for hardwood floors, is the size of the room where the floor will be fitted. Avoid picking a dark colored floor for a small size room, as it will make it look even smaller. Instead, go for a light colored flooring such as light oak, in order to convey a sense of greater space. If you decide to install a dark hardwood floor in a small room anyway, keep the color of your walls light.

Consider your room’s light exposures:

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The amount of natural light falling on the floor, has a huge impact on how you choose the right color for hardwood floors. If there is enough light coming through the windows, is best to go for darker wood floors, since the light prevents the room from looking too dark. On the other hand if the room is not so bright, choose a light color for your wood floor.

Consider the ceiling of the room:

Match your existing hardwood floor with the new one:

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If you want to add more hardwood on the current wood floors as a part of your renovating project, you’ll need to minimize the visual differences and create the impression that the surface was always like this. In this situation, pick up a color that will blend harmoniously with the finish of your existing hardwood floors. To find out more regarding how to match your existing hardwood floor with a new one, click here.

Here at Floorsave, we are able to provide you with samples of any wood flooring prior to your purchase. Once requested, this will be sent to you, free of charge. Alternatively, come and visit us at the Floorsave superstore and one of our experienced staff members, will be happy to help you choose the right colour for your hardwood flooring.